WELCOME, Ball Boys and GIRLS! We did it; we made it through the most prolonged work stoppage in MLB History. MLB pushed opening day back, and we will still get 162 day season! The free agency still hasn't taken off; at the time of writing this, Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, Kris Bryant, Seiya Suzuki, among others, are still mulling offers.
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Let's dive into what happened around the MLB on 3/15. After today's edition. You will see this piece on Fridays to round out the week.
1B Matt Olson, 8yr, $168mil extension, Atl Braves
Lock it down for less than what they would have paid Freeman; he's younger and honestly might age better as well. I'm a big fan of this deal and give the Braves another A.
1B/DH Daniel Vogelbach, 1yr, $1MM, Pit Pirates
A platoon move, but the Kool-aid in Pit is good and got Tsutugo going and hopefully brings back 2019 All-Star Vogey, who hits BOMBS! I give the deal a B.
RHRP Heath Hembree, 1yr, $2.125MM, Pit Pirates
I don't hate the signings of a guy who punches out 38% of hitters and will likely take on 9th inning role. I like the deal for the Pirates and give them a solid B- for the signing here.
RHP Chris Martin, 1yr, $2.5MM, Chi Cubs
Martin does a couple of things well, doesn't walk batters, and keeps a reasonable ERA. If the strikeout efficiency can return, then awesome as it stands right now, C-.
RHRP Jimmy Nelson, 1yr + 1 club option, $, LA Dodgers
The Dodgers keep nelson around town for another two years to allow him to recover from the TJ surgery and hope to be a part of the team in 2023. C+ for class.
RHP Collin McHugh, 2yr, $10MM, Atl Braves
McHugh is one of the more established guys in the MLB and can do it well as a part of the rotation or out of the pen. The Braves aren't paying a huge price here, and for a quality pen piece to come out behind their solid rotation, I'm a fan and give this deal a B.
INF Brad Miller, yr, $, Tex Rangers
Miller is unlikely to take on the everyday role at 3B; however, the glove can play all the INF position and both corner OF positions which is just what the Rangers need from Miller, who is just above average enough. I give the deal a B-.
1B Anthony Rizzo, 2yr, $32MM, NY Yankees
The deal does include an opt-out after this season. After the deal was official, it came out that the Yankees believed that they were out of Freeman talks, and he didn't want to play there. Instead, they re-sign Rizzo to a 1+1 deal to solidify their lineup and INF and likely end anything further they will do before opening day. The Yankees INF will likely look like 1B: Rizzo, 2B: DJ SS: IKF 3B: Donaldson. Not bad at all on paper; I guess we will see how that transitions to the field. I give the deal an A- because I love the person Rizzo.
Other Rumblings from around the MLB:
The Astros are preparing an improved offer to Carlos Correa
The Padres decided to muddy the waters for Freddie Freeman being reported as in.
The Twins, Guardians, and now White Sox talk to the A's about Frankie Montas and Sean Manea.
Cardinals Ace Jack Flaherty underwent medical evals today on his throwing shoulder.
Like the Nets and Knicks, unvaccinated Yankees and Mets will not play in home games.
Along with this, unvaccinated players going to Toronto will not play and enter the country.